Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it. 13 Lo! We sent unto them two [apostles,] and they gave the lie to both; and so We strengthened [the two] with a third; and thereupon they said: "Behold, we have been sent unto you [by God]!" 14 The people said, "You are mere mortals like us and the Beneficent God has sent nothing. You are only liars." 15 They said, "Our Lord knows that We are Messengers 16 And nothing devolves on us but a clear deliverance (of the message). 17 The (people) said: "for us, we augur an evil omen from you: if ye desist not, we will certainly stone you. And a grievous punishment indeed will be inflicted on you by us." 18 [The apostles] replied: "Your destiny, good or evil, is [bound up] with yourselves! [Does it seem evil to you] if you are told to take [the truth] to heart? Nay, but you are people who have wasted their own selves!" 19 A man came running from the farthest part of the city saying, "My people, follow the Messengers. 20 Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided. 21 Why should I not serve the One Who created me and to Whom all of you shall be sent back? 22 What, shall I take, apart from Him, gods whose intercession, if the All-merciful desires affliction for me, shall not avail me anything, and who will never deliver me? 23 Verily then I should be in error manifest. 24 Surely I believe in your Lord, therefore hear me. 25 (Eventually they killed him and he was told): “Enter Paradise.” The man exclaimed: “Would that my people knew 26 how my Sustainer has forgiven me [the sins of my past,] and has placed me among the honoured ones!" 27 ۞ And after that, no host out of heaven did We send down against his people, nor did We need to send down any: 28 It was only one Shout and they were silent, still. 29 Ah, woe for those servants! Never comes unto them a Messenger, but they mock at him. 30 Do they not consider how many of the generations have We destroyed before them, because they do not turn to them? 31 They shall every one of them be arraigned before Us. 32